Envelope feeder for typewriters



Sept. 30, 1941.

B. LANGLEY- ENVELOPE FEEDER FOR TYPEWRITERS 3 Sheeiis-Sheet 1 M NS wo mm B7 59 v INVENTOR. BERT LANGLEY.

A TTORNE Y5.

Sept. 30, 1941. a. LANGLEY ENVELOPE FEEDER FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed June 21, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BE R7 I AN (3 L EY- ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 30, 1941. s. LANGLEY v$257,174

v ENVELOPE FEEDER FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed June 21, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 INVENTOR. BER T LAN GL. EY.

- E A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE! 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements rangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention isto provide an en-' velop'e feeder for typewriters that may be'quickly adjusted to accommodate itself to diflerent makes of typewriters, and which will automatically need an envelope to the typewriter each time the de-- vice is operated and will automatically eject a typed envelope from the typewriter with the same movement of the actuating means."

All that the typist is required to do is to move a lever or the like for delivering an envelope to the typewriter, rotate the platen to bringthe envelope into typing position, type the address on the envelope, again rotate the platen with one hand to move the typed envelope into a position where it may be removed from the type-- writer, and with the other hand move the lever or other operating means for ejecting the typed envelope from the typewriter and for simultaneously delivering a newerivelope.

The feeder'has a magazine for receiving 'e'nvelopes and the sidewalls of the magazine. are adjustable for holding envelopes of difierent sizes. Novel means are provided for moving the magazine vertically into a position suitable for feed ing envelopes of difierent sizes to the typewriter. After the magazine has been filled with en.- velopes, the feeder will automatically deliver one envelope at a time and simultaneously remove a typed envelope from the typewriter each time the lever is operated. This will continue until the magazine is emptied.

The device saves time and labor in the addressing of envelopes by means of a; typewriter, since a single movement of the lever will feed a new envelope into the typewriter and removev a typed one. The envelopes are uniformly fed.- It is possible to dismantle the device when not in use and to store it in a small space.

Other objects and advantages will appear as specification proceeds, and the novel features of invention will be particularly pointed outin the appended claims. I

My invention is illustratedin the accompanydrawings, forming part of this application, in which: I

1 ure l a front elevation of the device; 'ure 2 a front elevation of the envelope magie elevating slide bar and associate parts;

Figure 3 a side elevation of the device-When looking at the left-hand side of Figure 1;

guides and the uprights 6.

Figure 4 an enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV -IV of Figure 7;

Figure 5 an isometric view of the envelope magazine base plate;

I Figure 6 a section taken along the line VI-VI of Figure-3, showing the operating mechanism in normal position; and i Figure '7 a similar view illustrating the parts in operative position for feeding a new envelope to the typewriter and for ejecting the typed envelope therefrom.

While I have shown only the preferredv form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made 4 within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In carrying out my invention I provide a platform A that. is designed for supporting a typewriter, which is indicated generally at B (see Figure 3'). Felt or other pads I are disposed under the platform and space it a slight distance above the supporting surface 2. Depressions 3 are markings may be formed in the platform for receiving the legs 4 of the typewriter. Different makes oftypewriters will be necessarily positioned at different points on the platform and the latter may have aplurality of depressions or markings thereon and properly designated to indicate the exact position to be occupied by a certain make of typewriter. I I

Sockets 5 are disposed at the rear of the platform for receiving uprights 6. Set screws 1 secure the uprights in the sockets. At the top 01 these uprights I mount castings 8 (see Figures 1 and 3). that have sockets to for receiving the tops of the uprights. Set screws 9 adjustably secure the'castings on the uprights.

The castings support an envelope magazine indicated generally at G in Figures 3 and 5 and anenvelope feeding and ejecting 'mechan-ism D shown in Figures 6 and '7. 'It is-necessary that the envelope magazine C be spaced the proper distance above the typewriter B, and, if desired, the uprights 6 may have different markings thereon (not shown) for indicating the exact positions the castings 8 must assume on the uprights for different makes of typewriters.

Before describing the envelope magazine and the envelopefeeding and ejecting means, it is best to set forth the construction of the magazine elevating slide bar E. Figures 1, 2 and 3 shew the bar E and it will be noted that the (guides 50 project upwardly from the rear of the base s'ocketsi. The bar E slides between the The bar has two cam edges designed to engage with pins 2 that are secured to the uprights 6.

When small envelopes are to be fed from the device, the pins l2 will be at the lower ends of the cam edges H (see Figure 1). When it is desired to feed larger envelopes, the set screws 1 are loosened and the handle I3 of the bar is grasped and moved to the left into the position shown in Figure 2. This will cause the pins to ride upwardly.- on the inclined edges onto the upper edge l4 of the bar. The set screws are now tightened to support the uprights and associate mechanism in the raised position.

Envelope magazine A-second link 38 ispivoted to the arm 36 at zine C and it will be noted that a magazine base plate I5 is mounted directly on'the' castings 8;

The base plate adjustably carries envelope end guides I6. Each guide is identical with the other and consistsof an angle-shaped member with a spring-pressed pin for yieldingly holding the member l6 down upon the base plate I5. The .pin slidesin a slot 8 and the member H5 is heldin adjusted position by pins l9 receivable in openings formed inthe base plate. I have shown two pins |9,for each member and have illustrated two setsof openings 20 for each memberi'. It is obvious that any additional sets of openings desired maybe provided for each member. I

' The-envelope end guides contact with the ends 7 of the envelopes F (see Figure 3) and correctly position them for feeding into the typewriter;

' Guide strips 20 extend transversely across the base plate and slidably support the intermediate portions of the envelopes. A back plate 2| for supporting the envelope feeding and ejecting mechanism is secured to the front edge flange 22 of the base plate |5 (see Figure 3) and forms the front wall of'the' envelope magazine. A weighted looped arm'23 is hinged at 24- to the *backplate 2| and the transverse portion 23a of the 'arm yieldingly engages with the rearmost envelope in the'stack of envelopes and urges the entire stack toward the rear plate 2|.

' {The envelopes are placed in the magazine with their flaps-on the-lower edge and 'on the forward 'side of 'the'envelope's. The envelopes F are held in position by the plate l5, end guides |6, rear plate 2| and the weighted arm 23.

A front plate 25 is spaced from the rear plate 2! by "three studs 26 and a U-shaped bar 21.

This'plate has a shelf-like flange 28 at'its lower "edge which is notched at 29 and (see Figure 1) for indicating the positions of the left-hand sidesof large and small envelopes, respectively. Markings 29a and 30a may be made on the front face of the plate 25 as a further indication and such markings may have the words Large and Small, respectively, associated therewith. The

drawing does not illustrate these words.

- Envelope feeding and ejecting mechanism shank (see Figure 7) is formed into a head 3la that" is designed to slip between the upturned flap 33 'of the front envelope F in the stack (see Figure 4) and the body of the envelope. The lower portion of the rear plate 2| is cut awa at 2|a for permitting the front envelope to feed."

39 (see Figure l) and is also pivoted to a bellcrank lever 40, as at 4|. The bell-crank lever 40 in turn is pivotally mounted to a lug carried by the right-hand casting 8. A spring 43 extends between the. lever 48 and the rear plate 2| for yieldingly holding the arm 36 and the plunger 3| in raised position.

-..A. handle 44 is disposed on the free end of the bellecrank lever 40 and extends at such an angle that 'a downward movement on the handle will rock the lever, 40 and swing the arm 36 downwardly. This willcausethe plunger 3| to move downwardly and eject an envelope from the magazine. 1

1, The head 3|a of the plunger is bent rearwardly at a slight angle (see Figure 4) so as to have the lower edgeof the head slidably contact with the envelope body as the plunger is moved downwardly. This will cause the plunger head to move under the envelope flap until the head finally reaches the joining fold between the flap and the envelope body." Further downward movement of the plunger will carry the front envelope therewith and move it between the spring clips 34 and the flange 22. The pressure exerted by the'clips is suficient to permit only one envelopeat a time to be. fed, the second envelope in the'stack resting on the magazine base plate ll5'and being held against movement until the 3| moves under a spring pressure foot 45 that has :arearwardly-bent portion 45a. Figures 3 and 6' illustrate the pressure foot as being supported by thescrews 46-that rotatably carry the lowest pair'of. guiderollers 32. The same screws also support an envelope guide 41, which is used when the typed envelope is gripped and removed from the typewriter as will be described hereinafter.

I Figure 3 indicates the free end of the guide 41 as being spaced a considerable distance above the pressure foot 3|. The portion 45a normally overlies an inclined'member 48 when the parts are in normal position (see Figure 3). The

:member 48 extends below the flange 22 (see Figure 5) andcar'ries' anenvelope stop 49. The purpose of this structure will be clearly set forth when describing the operation of the device. Suffice'it to: say at the present time that the plunger 3| will. feed an envelope down to the typewriter platen 50 (see Figure 4) where it will be engaged between the platen and the idler rolls 5| when the platen isrotated for feeding the envelope into typing position.

' I have described the envelope feeding mechanism. and will now describe the envelope ejecting mechanism. An envelope ejector 52 is carried by the freeendof the arm 36 and comprises a V-shaped member 53 (see Figure 4). The lower part 53a constitutes an. ejector guide for receiving an, envelope F as it is fed from the platen The upper part 53b has a. weighted en- 50. velope gripper 54 pivoted thereto at 55 and carrying a cam-follower 56. The Weight of the gripper 54 will normally cause itto-ccntact with the ejector guide 530..

When the arm 36 moves the ejector 52 down-- wardly, the top of the envelope will be received in the V-shaped member 53 and will lift the grip per 54 as illustrated in Figure 4. When the arm 36 starts to return to normal position under the force of the spring 43, the ejector 52 will move therewith and this will cause the weighted grip per 54 to swing downwardly and cooperate with the part 5311 to grip the envelope therebetween and remove it from the typewriter. Figure '7 indicates the gripped envelope F in broken lines and illustrates how the ejector 52 lifts the envelope clear of the typewriter.

The arm 36, in its upward swing, gains momentum due to the spring 43 and the fact that the typist has freed the handle 44. The upper edge of the envelope to the right of the gripper strikes a deflector pin 51 (see Figure 6) and this swings the envelope about the gripper as a point. The pin 51 extends from the front :plate 25 and terminates short of the rear plate 2! (see Figure 3). This allows passage of the bar 56 above and below the pin, that is, toward the top and bottom of the rear plate 2!.

At the same time, ora moment later, the camfollower 56 will strike a cam 58 (see Figures 3 and 6), which is secured to the front plate 25. This will release the envelope from thegripper. The momentum of the envelope in moving upwardly imparted to it by the arm 3E and the spinning movement delivered by the deflector pin 51 will cause the freed envelope to move clear of the device and into a receptacle (not shown). The envelopes will be arranged in'proper sequence, since they are successively receivedand will pile one upon the other in proper order in the receptacle.

Operation The typewriter B is placed in proper position on the platform A and the envelope magazine C is adjusted on the uprights 5 toth'e proper height with respect to the typewriter. The envelope end guides are adjusted to accommodate the envelopes of the desired size and the magazine elevating slide bar E is accordingly adjusted. The screws I are now tightened after which the mag azine is filled with envelopes F. Care is taken that the flaps of the envelopes are presented downwardly and toward the front. The weighted g arm 23 is now swung so as to engage with the rearmost envelope in the stack.

The carriage stops on the typewriter are adjusted in accordance with the size of the envelopes to be typed and the notches 28 and 3a. A paper 59 (see Figure 1) containing a list of ad" dresses is clipped at 60 to the front plate 25. The lever 40 is now swung downwardly to feed the first envelope into the typewriter in the manner already described. The plunger head 31c. will enter between the flap and the body of the envelope and will move the envelope under the portion 45:; of the pressure foot 45. The body of the envelope moves over the stop 49- and when the rear edge passes over the stop (see Figure 4) the portion 45a will urge the plunger shank 35 into contact with the stop and this will move the rear edge of the envelope under the stop.

The return movement of the plunger, therefore, will not carry the envelope F therewith,

since the stop 49 will prevent this'action. When the plunger 3| returns to normal position (as in Figure 6), the portion 450. will move down upon the envelope and force the rear edge along the inclined member 48'." This will force the envelope into gripping position between the platen 50 and rollers 5|. The envelope will be automatically aligned with the platen and rollers 5| so that it will come into proper position for typing.

It will be well at this time to note that the swing of the arm 36 is limited by stops GI and 62 mounted on a guide'strip 63 (see Figures 6 and 7). The arm 36 contacts with the guide at all times. The platen 50 is rotated by the operator for feeding the envelope into typing position. The typist types theacldress on the envelope and then with the left hand rotates the platen for moving the envelope into a practically freed position as shown in Figure 4. The right hand of the typist is used to actuate the lever 40 fordelivering another envelope to the platen.

The arm 36, in moving the plunger 3| for delivering a new envelope to the typewriter, also moves the ejector 52 towards the typed envelope that has been practically freed from the platen.

The typed envelope will be gripped by the ejector 52 in the manner already described and the guide 41 cooperates with another guide 64 (see Figures 6 and 7) for keeping'the movement of the typed envelope free from the movement of the new envelope entering'the typewriterso that one will not interfere with the other. The freeing of the lever 40 will permit the arm 35 to return the plunger 3! back to starting position and to move the ejector 52 so .that the typed envelope will strike the deflector pin 51. As already stated, thiswill spin the envelope and give it a tendency to move to the left and free itself from the device. At this instant, the gripper 54 is freed by the cam follower 56 engaging with the cam 53 withthe result that the freed envelope will move clear of the device. The lever 49 may be operated by the foot, or by a source of power, if desired.

.I claim: v

1. A device of the type described comprising a magazine for envelopes, uprights for supporting the magazine at the desired heightwithrespect to a typewriterplaten, means for delivering one envelope at a time to the platen, means for adjusting the magazine to accommodate envelopes of different sizes, and means for raising or lowering the uprights to properly position the magazine with respect to the platen according to the size of the envelope in the magazine.

2. In a device of the type described, an envelope magazine, including a base for supporting envelopes and a plate constituting the front wall of the magazine, yielding means for holding a stack of envelopes so that the front envelope will bear against the front wall, said plate having an opening therein adjacent to the base and large enough to receive the fiapsof'the envelopes, a

plunger movable ,under the flap of the front envelope in the stack for engaging with the fold made by the juncture of the flap with the envelope body for delivering an envelope through the opening, thereby removingit from the magazine, and spring clips extending across theopening and contacting with the base for permitting only one envelope to, be fed at a time from the magazine.

3. In a device of the character described, a magazine for holding a plurality of envelopes and including a base and a plate constituting a front wall, 'means for yieldingl-y moving a stack of envelopes supported by "thebase toward the front,

wall, said plate'having-an openingadjacent-to.

ing a base and a plate constituting a front wall,

means for yieldingly moving a stack of envelopes supported by the base toward the front wall, said plate having an opening adjacent to the base and large enough to receive the flap of the first envelope, Z'a-reciprocable plunger movable under the flap of the envelopes for delivering the front envelope through the opening, a stop placedadjacent to the line'o'f movement of the plunger and receiving the envelope edge disposed opposite to the flap when the plunger completes its movement in one direction, whereby the envelope is held against return movementv when the plunger returns to its initial position, an inclined member associated with the stop, and a pressure foot for yieldingly contacting with the envelope after the plunger is retracted for moving it along the inclined member for additionally advancing the envelope in the same. direction it was initially moved by the plunger. 1

' 5. .In a device of the type described, a magazine for supporting a stack of envelopes adjacent to a typewriter platen, means for successively feeding one envelope at a time into the rear of the platen where theplaten will grasp and move the envelope into typing position, when the platen is rotated, an envelope ejector for gripping the typed envelope and removing it from the type-- writer, and guides for separating the paths of movement of the envelope feeding means from the envelope ejecting means.

6. In a device'of the type, described, a movable arm, aplunger operatively connected to the arm, a magazine for holding envelopes, means for advancing the envelopes so that one will be removedeach time the plunger is moved in one direction, the plunger engaging with the flap of the envelope removed, an envelope ejector secured to the movable arm, an envelope gripping means carried by the ejector for gripping an envelope when the plunger startson itsreturn stroke, and means for, actuating the arm.

-'7. In a device of the type described, an arm, a plunger reciprocated by the arm and swingable toward and away from a typewriter platen, a magazine for holding envelopes with the latter placed in the path of the plunger, means for feeding one envelope at a time from the magazine to the platen each time the plunger is moved toward the typewriter, an envelope ejector carried bythe arm, meanscarried by the ejector for removing an envelope from the platen each time the ejector is moved away from the platen,

whereby a swinging of the arm in one direction will cause the plunger to feed anv envelope to the platen from the magazine, and a swinging of the arm in the opposite direction will cause a typewriter platen, said ejector having-a .V-':' shaped end for receiving an envelope from the platen, an envelope-gripping=member pivotally carried by the V-shaped end and cooperating therewith to receive an envelope when :the'memher is moved toward the envelope and to'grip the envelope when the member starts on its return movement, and means for freeingthe grip ping member from the envelope after the ejector has travelled a predetermined distance.

9. In combination with a typewriter having a platen, a magazine for envelopes, a plunger for feeding one envelope at a time from the magae zine to the rear-of the platen where the en-.

velope will be gripped when the, platen isrotated,

an envelope ejector, common means for moving boththe plunger and the ejector toward :the platen at the sametime, gripping means onthe a ejector for gripping a typed envelope partially freed from the platen at the same time as the plunger moves a new envelope against th platen, said means in returning the plunger to starting position also causing the ejector to remove-the typed envelope from the platen, and means for freeing the typed envelope from the ejector.

10. A device of the type described comprising a magazine for envelopes, means for removing one envelope at a time from the magazine and for delivering it to a typewriter platen, means for removing a typed envelope from. the type writer and including fixed and pivoted members adapted to positively grip the envelope, and common means for simultaneously actuating both of said means. I

11. A device of the typedescribed comprising a magazine for envelopes, means, for removing one envelope at a time from the'magazine and for delivering it to the rear of a typewriter platthe ejector to grip and remove an envelope from the platen, and means for actuating the arm.

8. In a device of the. type described, an en-,

velope ejector movable toward and away from en, means including fixed and pivotedv members for positively gripping and removing a typed en: velope from the front of the platen, and com mon means for simultaneously actuating both of said means.

12. A device of the type described comprising a magazine for envelopes, means for supporting the magazine at the desired height with respect to a typewriter platen, means for delivering one envelope at a time to the platen, means for adjusting the magazine to accommodateenvelopes of diiferent sizes, and means for raising or lowering the magazine supporting means to properly position the magazine with respect to the platen according to the size of the envelopes in the magazine.

13. In a device of the type describedya magazine for holding a plurality of envelopes and including a base and a plate constituting a front wall, means for yieldingly moving a stack of envelopes supported by the base toward the front wall, said plate having'an opening adjacent to the base and large enough to permit the first envelope of the stack to pass therethrough, a reciprocable plunger movable parallel to the front wall and engageable with the first i means for advancing the envelopes so that the first onein the stack will be removed each time the plunger is moved in One direction, the plunger engaging with the first envelope in the stack to accomplish its removal, an envelope ejector secured to the movable arm, an envelope gripping means carried by the ejector for gripping an envelope when the plunger starts on its return stroke, and means for actuating the arm.

15. In combination with a typewriter having a platen, a magazine for envelopes, a plunger for feeding one envelope at a time from the magazine to the rear of the platen where the envelope will be gripped when the platen is 1'0- tated, an envelope ejector, common means for moving both the plunger and the ejector toward means for freeing the typed envelope from the v ejector, said last named means including a pin placed in the path of the moving envelope, and means for automatically freeing the envelope gripping means from the envelope a moment after the envelope strikes the pin, whereby the freed envelope is moved clear of the device.

BERT LANGLEY. 

